Improvement in signal-lanterns



2 Sheets-Sheet-1.

R. J. HAMILTON.

SIGNAL LANTERN. N0.187,376. Irz7-l/'Pvatented Feb. 13, 18'7'7.

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UNITED STATES PATENT GranciaO ROBERT J. HAMILTON, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF TWO- THIRDS HIS RIGHT TO FREDERICK li. HAMILTON AND ROBERT J.

HAMILTON, JR., OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN SIGNAL-LANTERNS.

Specilication forming part of Letters Patent No. 187,376, dated February 13, 1877; application filed December 18, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT J. HAMILTON, of Fort Wayne, in the county of Allen and State of Indiana, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Signal-Lights; and Ido hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawing, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and gures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawing is a representation of a sectional elevation of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the same.

This invention has relation to signal lanterns or lamps for railroads, vessels, and for v other purposes for which it may be used; and consists in combining, in one lantern,

three lights of different colors; also, in providing the lantern at its top with a reflector that will throw a light vertically, as will be Ahereinafter described and subsequently point-` ed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing, A represents the lantern, having three convex glasses, a b c, of red, green, and white colors, and suitablyhinged doors d, to admit of ready access to the interior of said lantern. Suitable lamps f are placed in the rear of the glasses, and back of them are reflectors g, secured upon the ends of vertical rods h in a manner that will admit of their ready removal or adjustment when required.

Secured within the top of the lantern is a concave reector, B, up through the center ot' which passes the burner of a suitable lamp, t', the same being provided with a glass chimney, j. A stand, lo, is secured to a screw-rod, Z, for the lamp t' to rest upon, the lower end of said rod passing into a screw-sleeve, m, secured to the bottom of the lantern, the stand k being lowered to remove the lamp by a hand-wheel, n, operating the screw-rod.

It will be seen that Ltheaddit-ion of an upright light is advantageous in many respects to prevent collisions, as the rays of light being thrown in an upward direction, one train can be seen by the other at a great distance when passing over blui's or around curves, and also in swamp-fogs, as the train can be seen coming through the fog with comparatively little diculty b y the other trains.

The upright light is equally applicable to all kinds of sea-going vessels, as well as to light-houses.

Near the top of the lantern A are suitable openings o, to allow the free escapeof the smoke from the lamps f, and a glass cover, C, formed with an annular ange,p, tits over the top of 'the lantern, and is provided with smoke-tubes q, branching out from a centrallylocated hood, r', each end of the tube or tubes passing through the Bange p, and taking an upward direction-above the glass cover C, thereby allowing the smoke to escape from the lamp fi, and, at thesanie time, protecting the reflector B from becoming tarnished or otherwise injured by the weather.

To the cover` U are pivoted blinds D, which are operated to shut off vor open the upright light by the lever s. toggle-joint t, and arms u, one of the ends of said arms being rigidly connected to the pivots o, while the other endslare connected to the blinds near their center, thus making a very simple, as well as -e'ective means for, operating them when required.

From the above descriptioaof my invention, it is evident that every requisite of a signal-lantern is combined in a single device, and one that can be readily handled, and Ais effective in all of its purposes.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A signal-lantern provided with a side light or lights, and having arranged at or near its top a reflector for throwing the rays of light in an upward direction, substantially as speciiied. V 4

2. The glass cover O, provided with hinged or pivoted blinds D, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The lamp rest or support k, connected to the screwerod l, and the sleeve m, and handwheel n, combined to operate as specified.

In testimony that I claim-the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT J. HAMILTON.

Witnesses J ULIUs NATHAN, J AMES E. GRAHAM. 

